CN110389421B

CN110389421B - Lens barrel

Info

Publication number: CN110389421B
Application number: CN201910248014.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 大山勇己
Original assignee: Canon Inc
Current assignee: Canon Inc
Priority date: 2018-04-17
Filing date: 2019-03-29
Publication date: 2021-10-08
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-29
Also published as: JP2019184976A; JP6816057B2; US11175474B2; EP3557299A1; KR20190121245A; CN110389421A; US20190317296A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a lens barrel, including: a plurality of lens moving frames configured to move in an optical axis direction; a driving unit provided to each of the plurality of lens moving frames and configured to move a corresponding one of the plurality of lens moving frames in an optical axis direction; an aperture unit configured to move in an integrated manner with a first lens moving frame of the plurality of lens moving frames; and a flexible printed circuit board connected to the diaphragm unit, wherein the flexible printed circuit board is disposed at one of two sides divided by a plane passing through an optical axis, and the driving unit is disposed at the other of the two sides divided by the plane passing through the optical axis.

Description

Lens barrel

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a lens barrel, and more particularly to a lens barrel that performs zoom driving.

Background

Monitoring cameras have been installed in various places such as towns, harbors, and stadiums, and are used to monitor, for example, suspicious persons. Examples of the monitoring camera include a rotary camera capable of panning and tilting. In a rotary camera, zoom driving with high magnification and high accuracy in each shooting direction is required.

A general lens barrel included in a camera such as a monitoring camera is configured in the following manner: a plurality of moving lens groups are fitted on the guide bar to move in the optical axis direction within the lens barrel. The plurality of moving lens groups include a zoom moving lens group, and the zoom moving lens group may include an aperture mechanism (iris mechanism) for adjusting an amount of light incident on the zoom moving lens group and a movable flexible printed circuit (FPC, or flexible printed circuit board) electrically connected to the aperture mechanism. With this configuration, this type of lens barrel realizes high magnification while miniaturizing the apparatus.

However, in the case where the zoom movement lens group includes the aperture mechanism, the configuration of the movable FPC connected to the aperture mechanism is changed together with the aperture mechanism to match the optical configuration of the zoom movement lens group. As a result, the flexible portion of the movable FPC is repeatedly bent.

Therefore, in the case where the camera is continuously operated for a long time as in the monitoring camera, the bendable portion of the movable FPC repeatedly receives the bending load. This may result in deterioration of the electrical connection performance.

In view of such a situation, japanese patent laid-open No. 2007-33699 discusses a technique in which a flexible printed circuit board included in a shutter unit that is integrally driven with a lens is bent in a direction parallel to an optical axis in the following manner: so that the radius of curvature of the flexible printed circuit board remains substantially constant along the front or rear side of the shutter unit. This technique reduces the lens driving load and also miniaturizes the apparatus.

However, according to the technique discussed in japanese patent laid-open No. 2007-33699, in the case where the moving amount of the shutter unit in the optical axis direction is large, since the flexible printed circuit board is bent around the shutter unit and fixed to the shutter unit, the load applied to the vicinity of the fixing portion may become large. In addition, since a space for a flexible printed circuit board bent around the circumference of the shutter unit is required at the side face portion of the shutter unit, if the sleeve of the other moving lens group is disposed in the side face portion of the shutter unit, the lens barrel may be enlarged.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a small-sized lens barrel capable of ensuring durability of a movable Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC) of a diaphragm mechanism even when a plurality of movable lens groups are provided and the zoom movable lens group includes the diaphragm mechanism.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a lens barrel includes: a plurality of lens moving frames configured to move in an optical axis direction; a driving unit provided to each of the plurality of lens moving frames and configured to move a corresponding one of the plurality of lens moving frames in an optical axis direction; an aperture unit configured to move in an integrated manner with a first lens moving frame of the plurality of lens moving frames; and a flexible printed circuit board connected to the diaphragm unit, wherein the flexible printed circuit board is disposed at one of two sides divided by a plane passing through an optical axis, and the driving unit is disposed at the other of the two sides divided by the plane passing through the optical axis.

Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1A and 1B are each a view showing an exploded perspective view of a lens barrel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a lens moving frame supported by the same guide bar according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the inside of the lens barrel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a view of the inside of the lens barrel according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the image pickup element side.

Fig. 5 is a view of the inside of the lens barrel according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the object side.

Fig. 6A is a diagram illustrating a lens configuration in a wide-angle state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 6B is a diagram illustrating a lens configuration in a telephoto state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1A and 1B are each a view showing an exploded perspective view of a lens barrel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The lens barrel according to the present exemplary embodiment includes one fixed lens and three moving lenses. The fixed lens is a first group lens 1, and the moving lenses are a second group lens 2, a third group lens 3, and a fourth group lens 4. The first group lens 1 is fixed in the optical axis direction. The second group lens 2 performs a scaling operation by moving in the optical axis direction. The third group lens 3 performs a focusing operation by moving in the optical axis direction. The fourth group lens 4 performs a zoom operation by moving in the optical axis direction.

The first group lens holder 11 holds the first group lens 1 and is fixed to the front side holding cylinder 5. The second group lens moving frame 21 holds the second group lens 2 and serves as an example of the first lens moving frame. The second group lens movement frame 21 is movably supported in the optical axis direction by a second group guide rod 27. Further, the second-group lens moving frame 21 has a groove portion engaged with the second-group shake preventing lever 28 to prevent the second-group lens moving frame 21 from rotating about the second-group guide lever 27. A second group of guide rods 27 and a second group of anti-shake rods 28 are fixed between the front holding cylinder 5 and the rear holding cylinder 6. The second group of guide bars 27 and the second group of anti-shake bars 28 are an example of a pair of second guide bars.

The aperture unit 22 is fixed to the second-group lens moving frame 21, and adjusts the amount of light incident on the image pickup element 9. By changing the input of the electric signal, the diaphragm unit 22 freely changes the aperture diameter of the aperture portion 2a formed by diaphragm blades (not shown). The diaphragm unit 22 is thereby capable of adjusting the amount of incident light.

A movable Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC)23 is connected to the diaphragm unit 22. The removable FPC23 is provided for transmitting an electrical signal from the outside, and serves as an example of a flexible printed circuit board. The removable FPC23 extends from the inside of the lens barrel to the outside of the rear side holding cylinder 6, and is connected to an external power supply. The removable FPC23 has a rectangular shape. One end side of the movable FPC23 is fixed to the diaphragm unit 22, and the other end side is held by the rear holding cylinder 6.

The rack 24 is fixed to the second group lens moving frame 21 in a state of being biased in the optical axis direction and the rotational direction by a biasing spring 25. The rack 24 is engaged with a threaded portion of the stepping motor 26. The second-group lens moving frame 21 is driven in the optical axis direction via the rack 24 by the rotation of the threaded portion of the stepping motor 26. The stepping motor 26 is fixed to the rear holding cylinder 6. The stepping motor 26 and the

stepping motors

34 and 44 each serve as an example of a driving unit, and are provided so as to correspond to the second group lens moving frame 21, the third group lens moving frame 31, and the fourth group lens moving frame 41, respectively.

The third group lens moving frame 31 holds the third group lens 3 and serves as an example of the second lens moving frame. The third-group lens moving frame 31 is supported movably in the optical axis direction by a common guide bar 35 common to a fourth-group lens moving frame 41 described later. The third-group lens moving frame 31 has a groove portion engaged with the common shake prevention lever 36, and the common shake prevention lever 36 is shared by the third-group lens moving frame 31 and a fourth-group lens moving frame 41 described later. Therefore, the third-group lens moving frame 31 is prevented from rotating around the common guide 35. The common guide rod 35 and the common anti-shake rod 36 are fixed between the front holding cylinder 5 and the rear holding cylinder 6. The common guide bar 35 and the common anti-shake bar 36 are examples of a pair of first guide bars.

The rack 32 is fixed to the third group lens moving frame 31 in a state of being biased in the optical axis direction and the rotational direction by the biasing spring 33. The rack gear 32 is engaged with a threaded portion of the stepping motor 34. The third group lens moving frame 31 is driven in the optical axis direction via the rack 32 by the rotation of the threaded portion of the stepping motor 34. The stepping motor 34 is fixed to the rear holding cylinder 6.

The fourth-group lens moving frame 41 holds the fourth-group lens 4 and serves as an example of a third lens moving frame. The fourth-group lens moving frame 41 is movably supported in the optical axis direction by the common guide rod 35. The fourth-group lens moving frame 41 has a groove portion engaged with the common shake prevention lever 36. Therefore, the fourth-group lens moving frame 41 is prevented from rotating about the common guide 35.

The rack gear 42 is fixed to the fourth-group lens moving frame 41 in a state of being biased in the optical axis direction and the rotational direction by the biasing spring 43. The rack 42 is engaged with a threaded portion of the stepping motor 44. The fourth-group lens moving frame 41 is driven in the optical axis direction via the rack 42 by the rotation of the threaded portion of the stepping motor 44. The stepping motor 44 is fixed to the rear holding cylinder 6.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the third-group lens moving frame 31 and the fourth-group lens moving frame 41 are engaged with the common guide 35.

The third-group lens-moving frame 31 has two fitting portions, i.e., a first third-group fitting portion 31a and a second third-group fitting portion 31b, with respect to the common guide bar 35.

Fourth-group lens moving frame 41 has two fitting portions, i.e., first fourth-group fitting portion 41a and second fourth-group fitting portion 41b, with respect to common guide bar 35. The first and second third

group fitting portions

31a and 31b are fitted to the common guide bar 35 in the following manner: so that the first fourth-group fitting part 41a is interposed between the first third-group fitting part 31a and the second third-group fitting part 31 b. Likewise, first fourth-group fitting portion 41a and second fourth-group fitting portion 41b are fitted to common guide bar 35 in the following manner: so that the second third-group fitting part 31b is interposed between the first fourth-group fitting part 41a and the second fourth-group fitting part 41 b. In other words, on the common guide bar 35 (on the same first common guide bar), one of the two fitting portions of the third-group lens moving frame 31 is arranged between the two fitting portions of the fourth-group lens moving frame 41. On the common guide bar 35 (on the same first common guide bar), one of the two fitting portions of the fourth-group lens moving frame 41 is arranged between the two fitting portions of the third-group lens moving frame 31.

In this way, since the third-group lens moving frame 31 and the fourth-group lens moving frame 41 are supported by the common guide rod 35, the lens barrel can be miniaturized compared to the case where the guide rods are separately provided. In addition, the length of the sleeve of each of the third group lens moving frame 31 and the fourth group lens moving frame 41 can be increased, so that the postures of the third group lens moving frame 31 and the fourth group lens moving frame 41 can be stabilized.

The filter holder 71 holds an infrared cut filter 72 and a glass filter 73. The filter holder 71 is movably supported in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis by a guide rod 75. The filter holder 71 has a groove portion that engages with the anti-shake lever 76, thereby preventing the filter holder 71 from rotating about the guide bar 75. The guide bar 75 and the anti-shake bar 76 are fixed between the rear holding cylinder 6 and the sensor holder 8.

The rack 74 is fixed to the filter holder 71 in a state biased in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis and a rotational direction by a biasing spring (not shown). The rack gear 74 is engaged with a threaded portion of the stepping motor 77. The filter holder 71 is driven in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis via the rack 74 by rotation of the threaded portion of the stepping motor 77. The stepping motor 77 is fixed to the rear holding cylinder 6.

In a shooting mode called a night mode in which infrared light is not cut off, the infrared cut filter 72 is retracted from the optical path. Thus, in addition to visible light, infrared light is collected. This enables a satisfactory photographing of the subject even at night. In a shooting mode called a daytime mode, the infrared cut filter 72 is inserted into the optical path and collects visible light. Therefore, daytime subject image capturing can be performed.

The lens FPC61 is connected to the stepping

motors

26, 34, 44, and 77, and each of these motors is actuated by energization. A photo interrupter (not shown) is fixed to the lens FPC61 to detect the positions of the second group lens moving frame 21, the third group lens moving frame 31, and the fourth group lens moving frame 41 in the optical axis direction. The sensor holder 8 holds the image pickup element 9 and is fixed to the rear holding cylinder 6.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the inside of the lens barrel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a view of the inside of the lens barrel according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the image pickup element side.

As described above, the removable FPC23 is provided for transmitting an electric signal from the outside to the diaphragm unit 22. Further, the movable FPC23 can be bent around an axis orthogonal to the optical axis.

The image pickup element side of the removable FPC23 is fixed to the rear holding cylinder 6. Therefore, as shown in fig. 3, when the second group lens moving frame 21 is moved to the maximum amplitude toward the object side, the movable FPC23 is in the longest extended state in the optical axis direction. This is the state where the removable FPC23 has minimal bending. Further, as shown in fig. 4, when the second group lens moving frame 21 is moved to the maximum amplitude toward the image pickup element side, the movable FPC23 is in the longest extended state in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis. This is the state where the removable FPC23 has the most bending.

As shown in fig. 4, the removable FPC23 is arranged on one side divided by a plane passing through the optical axis. Further, the stepping

motors

26, 34, and 44 are arranged on the other side divided by a plane passing through the optical axis.

The movable FPC23 forms a sufficiently gentle curve inside the lens barrel, which is preferable in terms of durability. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the movable FPC23 and the stepping

motors

26, 34, and 44 are arranged at the above-described positions, and therefore, the stepping

motors

26, 34, and 44 do not interfere with the movement of the movable FPC 23. More specifically, the movable FPC23 can ensure a sufficiently gentle bent state, so that durability can be improved.

Further, the second group lens moving frame 21, the third group lens moving frame 31, and the fourth group lens moving frame 41 are driven to move linearly in the optical axis direction via the

racks

24, 32, and 42 by the rotation of the threaded portions of the stepping

motors

26, 34, and 44. Therefore, the

racks

24, 32, and 42 need to have respective lengths covering travel distances required for zooming and focusing of the second group lens moving frame 21, the third group lens moving frame 31, and the fourth group lens moving frame 41. Further, the

racks

24, 32, and 42 are also moved in the optical axis direction by following the movement of the second group lens moving frame 21, the third group lens moving frame 31, and the fourth group lens moving frame 41. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a space forward and backward in the optical axis direction of the

racks

24, 32, and 42. In such a space, it is difficult to arrange other members. However, according to the present exemplary embodiment, since the movable FPC23 and the stepping

motors

26, 34, 44 are arranged at the above-described positions, the wasted space is small. This miniaturizes the lens barrel.

As described above, the lens barrel according to the present exemplary embodiment can miniaturize the lens barrel while ensuring the durability of the removable FPC 23.

The second group guide rod 27, the second group anti-shake lever 28, the common guide rod 35, and the common anti-shake lever 36 will be explained. Fig. 5 is a view of the inside of the lens barrel according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the object side.

As shown in fig. 5, the diaphragm unit 22 is substantially circular and is disposed inside a lens barrel that is substantially rectangular in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. Inside the lens barrel, a second group guide rod 27, a second group anti-shake rod 28, a common guide rod 35, and a common anti-shake rod 36 are arranged in respective quadrants in fig. 5. In other words, the second-group guide rod 27, the second-group anti-shake bar 28, the common guide rod 35, and the common anti-shake bar 36 are respectively arranged in a corresponding one of four regions divided by two straight lines orthogonal to the optical axis when viewed from the optical axis direction. The third-group lens moving frame 31 and the fourth-group lens moving frame 41 are supported by the common guide bar 35 and the common shake prevention bar 36. Thus, the second group guide rod 27, the second group anti-shake bar 28, the common guide rod 35, and the common anti-shake bar 36 can be arranged in each quadrant.

In this way, according to the present exemplary embodiment, the second group guide bar 27, the second group anti-shake bar 28, the common guide bar 35, and the common anti-shake bar 36, which are long in the optical axis direction, are arranged in each quadrant. Therefore, the lens barrel is prevented from being large.

The relationship between the respective travel distances of the third group lens moving frame 31 and the fourth group lens moving frame 41 and the bendable range of the movable FPC23 will be described. Fig. 6A is a diagram illustrating a lens configuration in a wide-angle state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 6B is a diagram illustrating a lens configuration in a telephoto state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 6A and 6B, the third-group lens moving frame 31 and the fourth-group lens moving frame 41 are both arranged at positions closer to the image pickup element 9 than the diaphragm unit 22 in the optical axis direction. Further, when a change occurs from the wide-angle state to the telephoto state, even if the configuration of the

lens moving frames

21, 31, and 41 is changed, the third group lens moving frame 31 and the fourth group lens moving frame 41 move in the optical axis direction within a range in which the movable FPC23 can be bent.

This enables miniaturization of the lens barrel while maximizing the bendable range of the movable FPC23 in the optical axis direction.

The exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to these exemplary embodiments, and various substitutions and modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A lens barrel, comprising:

a first lens holding frame configured to hold a first lens movably in an optical axis direction of the first lens;

a second lens holding frame configured to hold a second lens movably in the optical axis direction;

a first drive unit configured to move the first lens holding frame in the optical axis direction;

a second drive unit configured to move the second lens holding frame in the optical axis direction;

a diaphragm unit configured to move in the optical axis direction in an integrated manner with the first lens holding frame;

a flexible printed circuit board connected to the diaphragm unit;

a first guide bar and a second guide bar configured to movably hold the first lens holding frame in the optical axis direction;

third and fourth guide bars configured to movably hold the second lens holding frame in the optical axis direction;

wherein the first drive unit and the first guide bar are arranged in a first region of four regions divided by a first plane including an optical axis and a second plane perpendicular to the first plane and including the optical axis;

wherein the second driving unit and the third guide bar are arranged in a second region different from the first region among the four regions;

wherein the second guide bar is arranged in a third region of the four regions different from the first region and the second region;

wherein the fourth guide bar is arranged in a fourth region of the four regions different from the first region, the second region, and the third region;

wherein the flexible printed circuit board extends over a boundary of the third area and the fourth area.

2. The lens barrel according to claim 1, further comprising a third lens holding frame configured to hold a third lens movably in the optical axis direction;

wherein the third guide bar and the fourth guide bar are configured to movably hold the third lens-holding frame in the optical axis direction.

3. The lens barrel according to claim 2, wherein,

the second lens-holding frame and the third lens-holding frame each have two fitting portions to be fitted to the third guide bar and the fourth guide bar, and

on the third guide bar, one of the two fitting portions of the second lens holding frame is arranged between the two fitting portions of the third lens holding frame, and on the third guide bar, one of the two fitting portions of the third lens holding frame is arranged between the two fitting portions of the second lens holding frame.

4. The lens barrel according to claim 1, wherein the lens barrel is,

wherein the first region is adjacent to the second region and the fourth region, and the second region is adjacent to the third region.

5. The lens barrel according to claim 2, wherein,

the flexible printed circuit board is configured to bend about an axis orthogonal to the optical axis,

the second lens holding frame and the third lens holding frame are both arranged at positions closer to the image pickup element in the optical axis direction than the diaphragm unit, and

the second lens holding frame and the third lens holding frame move in the optical axis direction within a range in which the flexible printed circuit board can be bent.